Indonesia grants visas on arrival to 14 more countries
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-09 12:48

Indonesia will allow tourists from 14 more countries to buy visas on arrival in a bid to boost tourism.

A new regulation announced by Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin makes the visas available to citizens of China, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Egypt, Austria, Greece, Qatar, Ireland and Germany, the Jakarta Post said.

A 30-day visa will cost 25 dollars, and a six-day one 10 dollars.

Indonesia last year allowed tourists from 21 other countries to buy visas on arrival.

Tourism Minister Jero Wacik has said the government hoped the new law would help bring in six million foreign tourists in 2005.

Tourist arrivals in 2004 totalled 4.54 million compared to 3.69 million in 2003.

Indonesia's vital tourism sector was badly hit by the October 2002 bombings on the resort island of Bali, which killed 202 people, mostly foreign holidaymakers.

The bombing of a Jakarta hotel in August 2003 -- in which 12 people were killed -- and the September 2004 suicide bombing at the Australian embassy in Jakarta also put off some travellers.